Wireless video uplink system that wirelessly broadcasts a network access provider identifier

ABSTRACT

A wireless access system comprises a base station and a control system. The base station wirelessly broadcasts a pilot signal including a network access provider identifier that identifies a wireless video service. The base station wirelessly receives a wireless video uplink request from a wireless video device in response to the pilot signal. The control system processes reservation data for the base station to determine if the wireless video device has a current wireless video uplink reservation and directs the base station to provide a wireless video uplink to the wireless video device if the wireless video device has the current wireless video uplink reservation. The base station wirelessly receives video data from the wireless video device over the wireless video uplink as directed by the control system.

RELATED CASES

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/871,595 that was filed on Aug. 30, 2010 and is entitled“WIRELESS VIDEO UPLINK SYSTEM THAT WIRELESSLY BROADCASTS A NETWORKACCESS PROVIDER IDENTIFIER.” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/871,595is hereby incorporated by reference into this patent application.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Remote video feeds are routinely used by news organizations and sportingevents to share live, high quality video feeds with their primaryaudiences. Due to the lack of high capacity wired networks at most ofthese locations, these video feeds are commonly performed over satelliteuplinks and less commonly over terrestrial 3G wireless networks.Satellite uplinks require the content organization to deploy a dedicatedvehicle with a large antenna, power supply, and high power transmitter.This broadcast truck and associated communications hardware and systemsare both cumbersome and expensive. As a result, most broadcastorganizations have limited resources and have to deploy them sparinglyand at great expense. Terrestrial cellular uplink systems, whiletechnically feasible, often require complex and expensive uplink bondingsystems and despite efforts to achieve sufficient bandwidth, often failto deliver the quality and bandwidth required to transmitbroadcast-quality video. Further, if many companies congregate in anews-making location and simultaneously attempt to transmit theirbroadcast, the end result is a depletion of wireless resources, reducingthe ability of any organization to transmit broadcast qualityinformation and the devastation of the resource for all other publicusers on the network. These terrestrial video uplink systems lack aneffective method and technology for reservation of uplink resources,wireless access, user devices, and distribution servers.

Overview

A wireless access system comprises a base station and a control system.The base station wirelessly broadcasts a pilot signal including anetwork access provider identifier that identifies a wireless videoservice. The base station wirelessly receives a wireless video uplinkrequest from a wireless video device in response to the pilot signal.The control system processes reservation data for the base station todetermine if the wireless video device has a current wireless videouplink reservation and directs the base station to provide a wirelessvideo uplink to the wireless video device if the wireless video devicehas the current wireless video uplink reservation. The base stationwirelessly receives video data from the wireless video device over thewireless video uplink as directed by the control system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless video uplink system including a wirelessuplink reservation system.

FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of the wireless uplink reservationsystem.

FIG. 3 illustrates a wireless uplink reservation menu.

FIG. 4 illustrates a wireless video uplink system including a wirelessaccess system.

FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of the wireless access system.

FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the wireless access system.

FIG. 7 illustrates the operation of the wireless access system.

FIG. 8 illustrates a wireless video device.

FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of the wireless video device.

FIG. 10 illustrates a display provided by the wireless video device.

FIG. 11 illustrates a display provided by the wireless video device.

FIG. 12 illustrates a video server system.

FIG. 13 illustrates the operation of the video server system.

FIG. 14 illustrates the operation of the video server system.

FIG. 15 illustrates the operation of the video server system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates wireless video uplink system 100. Wireless videouplink system 100 comprises reservation system 101, video server system102, communication network 105, and user systems 106-107. At geographiclocation 103, wireless video uplink system 100 comprises wireless accesssystem 111 and wireless video devices 113-114. At geographic location104, wireless video uplink system 100 comprises wireless access system112.

Reservation system 101 and communication network 105 communicate overcommunication link 121. Video server system 102 and communicationnetwork 105 communicate over communication link 122. User systems106-107 and communication network 105 communicate over respectivecommunication links 125-126. Wireless access systems 111-112 andcommunication network 105 communicate over respective communicationlinks 123-124. Wireless video device 113 and wireless access system 111communicate over wireless link 131. Wireless video device 114 andwireless access system 111 communicate over wireless link 132.

Reservation system 101 and video server system 102 comprise computer andcommunication systems that include communication transceivers,processing circuitry, memory devices, user interfaces, software, anddata. Reservation system 101 and video server system 102 could beintegrated together, be discrete systems, or be distributed acrossvarious different computer and communication systems.

Communication network 105 comprises communication equipment, such asrouters, servers, switches, fiber optic and metallic cabling, and thelike. Communication network 105 may be supported by several differentservice providers and could utilize the public Internet. Communicationlinks 121-126 use metal, glass, air, space, or some other material asthe transport media. Communication links 121-126 may use variouscommunication protocols, such as Time Division Multiplex (TDM), InternetProtocol (IP), Ethernet, a wireless protocol, or some othercommunication format—including combinations thereof. Communication links121-126 may comprise direct links or may include intermediate networks,systems, or devices.

User system 106 comprises an electronic device that can be operated by auser to interact with reservation system 101 to make wireless videouplink reservations. User system 107 comprises an electronic device thatcan be operated by a user to request, download, and view video. Examplesof user systems 106-107 include computers, phones, televisions, videocameras, game consoles, Internet appliances, and the like.

Wireless access systems 111-112 each comprise communication equipment,such as wireless base stations, gateways, routers, servers, switches,fiber optic and metallic cabling, and the like. The base stationscomprise an antenna and RF communication circuitry for wirelesscommunication. The RF communication circuitry typically includes anamplifier, filter, RF modulator, software, and signal processingcircuitry that implement a wireless communication protocol. Wirelesscommunication links 131-132 use the air or space as the transport media.Wireless links 131-132 may use various protocols, such as Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM),Evolution Data Only (EVDO), Worldwide Interoperability for MicrowaveAccess (WIMAX), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution(LTE), or some other wireless communication format—includingcombinations thereof. Wireless links 131-132 could be direct links ormay include intermediate networks, systems, or devices.

Wireless video devices 113-114 include an optical receiver to captureoptical signals and generate corresponding video data. Wireless videodevices 113-114 include an antenna and RF communication circuitry forwireless communication. The RF communication circuitry typicallyincludes an amplifier, filter, RF modulator, software, and signalprocessing circuitry that implement a wireless communication protocol.Wireless video devices 113-114 also include a processing system and userinterface to execute applications, control video operations, and directwireless access—in addition to other tasks. In some examples, wirelessvideo devices 113-114 are further configured to make reservations anddownload video like user systems 106-107. Some examples of wirelessvideo devices 113-114 include high-definition video cameras withwireless communication transceivers, smart phones with cameras,netbooks, and the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of video uplink reservation system 101.Reservation system 101 receives a video reservation request from usersystem 106 (201). In response to the reservation request, reservationsystem 101 transfers a reservation menu to user system 106 (202). Forexample, user system 106 might log-in to a reservation web-site hostedby reservation system 101 and download the reservation menu.

User system 106 uses the menu to submit a video uplink request thatindicates the user, geographic location 103, and a time period. The usercould be indicated by a user ID, device ID, group ID, pool ID or someother data associated with the user. The geographic location 103 couldbe indicated through the selection of a point on a geographic map. Themenu and corresponding uplink request may include other data, such as aUniform Resource Locator (URL) or access code to download the video,permission for public access to the video, or a fee required to accessthe video.

Reservation system 101 processes the uplink request to determine if awireless access system serves the geographic location (204). Sincewireless access system 111 serves geographic location 103 (205),reservation system 101 determines if wireless access system 111 hasavailable video uplink capacity during the specified time period (206).If wireless access system 111 has available video uplink capacity duringthe time period (207), then reservation system 101 authorizes the user(208). If the user is authorized (209), then reservation system 101grants the reservation and directs wireless access system 111 to providea wireless video uplink during the time period to wireless video device113—which is associated with the user (210). Reservation system 101 mayalso transfer the reservation data to server system 102 for use in videodistribution.

Referring back to FIG. 1, wireless access system 111 wirelessly receivesvideo data from wireless video device 113 over the reserved video uplinkduring the time period. Also during the time period, wireless accesssystem 111 inhibits another video uplink attempt from wireless videodevice 114. The inhibition is designed to maintain adequate uplinkcapacity for wireless video device 113, and thus, the inhibition couldbe a complete block or an uplink for device 114 with reduced capacity.Note that this example is illustrative, and more than one video devicemay simultaneously uplink to the same wireless access system before anuplink inhibition is required to maintain adequate uplink capacity.

Wireless access system 111 transfers the video data to video serversystem 102 for storage and distribution. User system 107 requests thevideo data from video server system 102, and in response, video serversystem 102 transfers the video data to user system 107. For example,user system 107 may log-in to a video web site hosted by video serversystem 102 to download the video.

Note that multiple wireless devices could be associated with the user.Thus, the reservation could be for a single wireless video device or fora set of wireless video devices—where the first device in the set to usethe reserved video uplink gets the reservation and other devices in theset would be inhibited as needed. For example, a news organization mayhave ten wireless video cameras associated with their user ID. Someoneat the news organization could set up the reservation to cover an event,such as a government news conference. The first wireless video camerafrom the news organization to use the video uplink would get thereservation, and the other nine wireless video cameras might beinhibited if they attempt a wireless video uplink from the newsconference site.

In some embodiments, a pooling arrangement may be in effect. In apooling arrangement, several users agree to share the resulting videofrom wireless video uplinks. When establishing the reservation, the userwould be notified that the pooling arrangement applies, and that othermembers of the pool will be able to obtain the resulting video from theuplink. In some cases, the wireless video uplink would be awarded on afirst-come, first-serve basis, and then the video feed would be sharedby all members of the pool.

FIG. 3 illustrates wireless uplink reservation menu 300. Menu 300 is anexample of the reservation menu described above, although thatreservation menu may take various forms. Wireless uplink reservationmenu 300 contains various text boxes to enter information indicating theuser, reservation date, location, and the reservation start and stoptimes. The location may specified by a physical address, intersection,or other suitable description, such as “West Side High School.”

A text box is provided to indicate a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) forsubsequent distribution—including live streaming. In some cases, the URLhas a common hostname to access the video server system, and then theuser may specify a path name that typically indicates characteristics ofthe video. For example, the hostname for the video server system mightbe “wirelessvideo” and the path name could be“westsidehighbasketball/1-15-15.” Thus, the URL might be:www.wirelessvideo/westsidehighbasketball/1-15-15.com.

There is a text box to specify if public access is allowed. Publicaccess may be qualified with a fee, which can be specified in thefollowing boxes. Non-public access requires an access code or the likeand may also require a fee. Another text box allows the user to indicatedevice identifiers, such as Media Access Control (MAC) identifiers, forthe wireless video device(s) that may attempt to wirelessly uploadvideo. The next text box allows the user to indicate a pool identifierin the event that the user is associated with a pool.

An additional box is provided for a description of the video, such as aWest Side high school basketball game. The description may includesignificantly more data, and the data may be used as metadata in asearch interface for others who search for videos to download. Note thatsome of this data may be pre-stored for selection using the down arrowsin the text boxes. In addition, other interfaces, such as calendars andclocks, may be used to collect user data.

Reservation menu 300 also has a map section that has been simplified forclarity. The map section is typically larger and includes buttons forzooming in and out, as well as, directional movement. The map sectionalso typically includes a search interface, like a text box, to inputsearch terms and focus the map on a desired location. For example, theentry “national mall” might focus the map on the national mall (near theWashington Monument) in the District of Columbia.

Once the user navigates to the desired geographic area on the map, theymay then select a location for the wireless video uplink. For example,the user may navigate to West Side high school and then select theschool for the uplink. This selection is significant because thereservation system uses this location to identify the serving wirelessaccess system and to check for available uplink capacity during thedesired time frame.

A notification area is included to provide feedback to the user. Variousforms of feedback may be provided. For example, video uplinks fromschools or parks may require public access. In another example, asuggested URL path may not be available. Other information may bepresented to the user in a like manner.

FIG. 4 illustrates wireless video uplink system 400. Wireless videouplink system 400 comprises reservation system 401, video server system402, wireless access system 403, communication network 405, and usersystems 406-407. Wireless access system 403 comprises base station 415,control system 416, and wireless video devices 413-414. Wireless accesssystem 403 is an example of wireless access systems 111-112, althoughsystems 111-112 may use alternative configurations.

Reservation system 401 and communication network 405 communicate overcommunication link 421. Video server system 402 and communicationnetwork 405 communicate over communication link 422. User systems406-407 and communication network 405 communicate over respectivecommunication links 424-425. Control system 416 and communicationnetwork 405 communicate over communication link 423. Base station 415and control system 416 communicate over communication link 426. Wirelessvideo devices 413-414 and base station 415 communicate over wirelesscommunication links 431-432 (where link 431 is represented by signals441-444).

Reservation system 401 and video server system 402 comprise computer andcommunication systems that include communication transceivers,processing circuitry, memory devices, user interfaces, software, anddata. Reservation system 401 and video server system 402 could beintegrated together, be discrete systems, or be distributed acrossvarious different computer and communication systems. Communicationnetwork 405 comprises communication equipment, such as routers, servers,switches, fiber optic and metallic cabling, and the like. Communicationnetwork 405 may be supported by several different service providers andcould utilize the public Internet. User system 406 comprises anelectronic device that can be operated by a user to interact withreservation system 401 to make wireless video uplink reservations. Usersystem 407 comprises an electronic device that can be operated by a userto request, download, and view video. Examples of user systems 406-407include computers, phones, televisions, video cameras, game consoles,Internet appliances, and the like.

Wireless video devices 413-414 each include an optical receiver tocapture optical signals and generate corresponding video data. Wirelessvideo devices 413-414 include an antenna and RF communication circuitryfor wireless communication. The RF communication circuitry typicallyincludes an amplifier, filter, RF modulator, software, and signalprocessing circuitry that implement a wireless communication protocol.Wireless video devices 413-414 also include a processing system and userinterface to execute applications, control video operations, and directwireless access—in addition to other tasks. In some examples, wirelessvideo devices 413-414 are further configured to make reservations anddownload video like user systems 406-407. Some examples of wirelessvideo devices 413-414 include high-definition video cameras withwireless communication transceivers, smart phones with cameras,netbooks, and the like.

Base station 415 comprises communication equipment, such as antennas,amplifiers, filters, RF modulators, software, and signal processingcircuitry, routers, servers, fiber optic and metallic cabling, and thelike. Control system 416 comprises a computer and communication systemthat includes communication transceivers, processing circuitry, memorydevices, user interfaces, software, and data. Control system 416 mightinclude a base station controller, packet network gateway, server,router, border controller, and the like.

Communication links 421-426 use metal, glass, air, space, or some othermaterial as the transport media. Communication links 421-426 may usevarious communication protocols, such as TDM, IP, Ethernet, a wirelessprotocol, or some other communication format—including combinationsthereof. Communication links 421-426 may comprise direct links or mayinclude intermediate networks, systems, or devices. Wirelesscommunication links 431-432 use the air or space as the transport media.Wireless links 431-432 may use various protocols, such as CDMA, GSM,EVDO, WIMAX, HSPA, LTE, or some other wireless communicationformat—including combinations thereof. Wireless links 431-432 could bedirect links or may include intermediate networks, systems, or devices.

FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of wireless access system 403 tosupport a wireless video uplink service. Prior to the operation on FIG.5, user system 406 interacts with reservation system 401 to make a videouplink reservation for wireless video device 413 at a geographiclocation served by base station 415—perhaps as described above. As aresult, reservation system 401 provides the associated reservation datato control system 416 in wireless access system 403.

Base station 415 wirelessly broadcasts a pilot signal 441 including anetwork access provider identifier that identifies the wireless videoservice (501). Wireless video device 413 wirelessly scans for pilotsignal 441 having the network access provider for the wireless videoservice. The wireless scan entails receiving energy from the air throughan antenna and processing the energy at a specific frequency band todetect the network access provider identifier. In response to detectingpilot signal 441, wireless video device 413 wirelessly transferswireless video uplink request 442. Base station 415 receives wirelessvideo uplink request 442 (502). In response to wireless video uplinkrequest 442, control system 416 processes the reservation data todetermine if wireless video device 413 has a current wireless videouplink reservation (503).

Since wireless video device 413 does have a reservation (504), controlsystem 416 directs base station 415 to transfer an indication 443 thatthe reserved wireless video uplink is available to wireless video device413. In response, wireless video device 413 captures video and transferswireless video data 444 to base station 415. Base station 415 receiveswireless video data 444 (506) and forwards the video data to controlsystem 416. Control system 416 transfers the video data to video serversystem 402 for storage and distribution.

If wireless video device 413 did not have a reservation (504), thencontrol system 416 would process loading conditions to determine if basestation 415 had the capacity to provide the video uplink to video device413 (508). If base station 415 has the capacity (509), then controlsystem 416 would direct base station 415 to provide the requestedwireless video uplink to video device 413 (505). If base station 415does not have the capacity (509), then control system 416 would directbase station 415 to deny the video uplink request from video device 413(510).

Contemporaneously with the video uplink for device 413, wireless videodevice 414 also requests a wireless video uplink through base station415. In some examples, this request is placed before the reservationtime period for device 413, so the request is temporarily granted.However, during the reservation time period for wireless video device413, base station 415 inhibits the video uplink or other data transfersfrom video device 414 to preserve service quality for wireless videodevice 413 (507).

Thus, wireless access system 403 supports both reserved and non-reservedwireless video uplinks. Wireless access system 403 may also supportnon-video data transfers, such as voice calls, emails, web surfing,texting, and the like. Control system 416 gives top priority to anyreserved video uplinks, and control system 416 inhibits other video anddata transfers as needed to provide sufficient quality-of-service to thereserved video uplinks. When capacity permits, control system 416 allowson-demand (not reserved) wireless video uplinks, and control system 416inhibits other data transfers as needed to provide sufficientquality-of-service to the non-reserved video uplinks. If capacitypermits, control system 416 allows other data transfers until subsequentwireless video uplinks require the capacity. In some examples, apredetermined amount of capacity is reserved for video uplinks and theremaining capacity is allocated to data transfers. If the predeterminedamount is unused, the techniques described herein may be used tore-allocate nay excess video capacity to other uses.

FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of wireless access system 403 tosupport a wireless video service and a data transfer service. The datatransfer service could be voice calls, emails, web surfing, texting, andthe like. Base station 415 wirelessly broadcasts pilot signal 441including a network access provider identifier that identifies thewireless video service (601). A wireless data device (not shown)wirelessly scans for pilot signal 441 having the network access providerfor the wireless video service. In response to detecting pilot signal441, the wireless data device wirelessly transfers wireless datatransfer request (not a video uplink request). Base station 415 receivesthe wireless data transfer request (602). In response to wireless datatransfer request 442, control system 416 processes loading data todetermine if base station 415 has the capacity to provide the wirelessdata transfer to the wireless data device (603). This processing couldentail checking for any imminent reservations, current video uplinks,and current data transfers. If base station 415 has the capacity (604),then control system 415 would direct base station 415 to provide therequested wireless data transfer to the wireless data device (605). Basestation 415 and the wireless data device would then wirelessly exchangethe data (606). If base station 415 does not have the capacity (604),then control system 416 would direct base station 415 to deny thewireless data transfer request from the wireless data device (607).

FIG. 7 further illustrates the operation of wireless access system 403to support a wireless video service and a data transfer service. Basestation 415 wirelessly broadcasts pilot signal 441 including a networkaccess provider identifier that identifies the wireless video serviceand a base station identifier (701). Control system 416 processes videouplink reservation data and current base station loading to determine ifbase station 415 has enough excess capacity to support data transfers(as opposed to video uplinks). If base station 415 has excess capacity(703), then control system 416 transfers a message to add the networkaccess provider and base station identifier to the preferred roaminglists of wireless devices in the geographic area (704). If base station415 does not have excess capacity (703), then control system 416transfers a message to remove the network access provider and basestation identifier from the preferred roaming lists of devices in thegeographic area (705).

Thus, wireless access system 403 supports the wireless video uplinkservice by broadcasting a dedicated network access provider identifierthat can be used by wireless video devices to acquire the video uplinkservice. Wireless video uplink reservations are accepted and given toppriority, even if non-reserved video uplinks or other data transfersmust be inhibited (although some system capacity may be reserved for theother data transfers as a top priority). On-demand wireless videouplinks are provided through acquisition of the pilot signal as capacitypermits. If excess video uplink capacity exists, then the correspondingbase station is added to preferred roaming lists to attract otherwireless data users on a temporary or overflow basis.

FIG. 8 illustrates wireless video device 800. Wireless video device 800is an example of wireless video devices 113-114 and 413-414, althoughdevices 113-114 and 413-414 may use alternative configurations. Inaddition, wireless video device 800 is an example of user systems106-107 and 406-407, although systems 106-107 and 406-407 may usealternative configurations.

Wireless video device 800 comprises user interface 801, wirelesstransceiver 802, processing system 803, and optical receiver 807.Processing system 803 comprises processing circuitry 804 and memorysystem 805 that stores operating software 806. Processing system 803 islinked to user interface 801, wireless transceiver 802, and opticalreceiver 807. Wireless video device 800 may include other well-knowncomponents that are not shown for clarity, such as an additionalcommunication interface, enclosure, device, power supply, and the like.

User interface 801 includes video uplink button 808 and a video playbackbutton 809. Video uplink and playback buttons 808-809 could be discretephysical keys on the surface of wireless video device 800 or could beselections on a touch-screen display. In some examples, a singleactivation of video uplink button 808 contemporaneously initiates boththe video reception/processing and the video uplink. Thus, the typical“record” button may be omitted from user interface 801 altogether.

User interface 801 also comprises other components that interact withthe user, such as graphic displays, keys, buttons, touch-pads, speaker,microphone, and the like. The user operates user interface 801 tocapture video, interact with a wireless communication network to uploadthe video, playback video, and interact with a video server system tostore and distribute the video. In some examples, the user may operateuser interface 801 to make wireless video uplink reservations.

Wireless transceiver 802 comprises an antenna, filter, amplifier, signalprocessing circuitry, software, and/or some other communicationcomponents. Wireless transceiver 802 may use various wirelesscommunication formats, such as CDMA, GSM, EVDO, WIMAX, HSPA, LTE, orsome other wireless communication format—including combinations thereof.Wireless transceiver 802 transmits and receives wireless signals toupload video, interact with the video server system to store anddistribute the video, and possibly to make wireless video uplinkreservations.

Optical receiver 807 comprises an optical sensor and signal processingcircuitry that collects optical signals and generates correspondingdigital data (video data). Optical receiver 807 could be ahigh-definition video camera or some other video collection device. Insome example, optical receiver 807 operates in response to theactivation of video uplink button 808.

Processing circuitry 804 comprises microprocessor and other circuitrythat retrieves and executes operating software 806 from memory system805. Memory system 805 comprises a computer-readable storage medium,such as a disk drive, flash drive, data storage circuitry, or some othermemory apparatus. Memory system 805 could be a single device or bedistributed across multiple devices. Processing circuitry 804 istypically mounted on one or more circuit boards that may also holdmemory system 805 and portions of user interface 801, wirelesstransceiver 802, and optical receiver 807.

Operating software 806 comprises computer programs, firmware, or someother form of computer-readable processing instructions. Operatingsoftware 806 includes applications as described herein, and may alsoinclude an operating system, utilities, drivers, network interfaces, orsome other type of software. For example, operating software 806 mightinclude: 1) an operating system module to interface with a userinterface, processing circuitry and memory; 2) a video collection moduleto control an optical receiver; 3) a wireless module to direct wirelesscommunications with a wireless access system, an Internet module tocommunicate with networked systems, and 4) a video module to interactwith video reservation and server systems. Thus, when executed byprocessing circuitry 804, operating software 806 directs processingsystem 803 to operate wireless video device 800 to collect and uploadvideo data, and to interact with video reservation and server systems asdescribed herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of wireless video device 800. The useroperates video uplink button 808 on device 800 to request a wirelessvideo uplink (901). In response to the user request, wireless videodevice 800 identifies a wireless video uplink system (902). For example,wireless video device 800 may wirelessly scan for a pilot signal from acommunication network able to supply the wireless video uplink. In somecases, the pilot signal carries a network access provider identificationfor a video uplink service. Wireless video device 800 wirelesslytransfers a video uplink request to the identified communication system(903). For example, wireless video device 800 may wirelessly communicatewith the identified system to complete system acquisition, performauthentication and authorization with the system, and request a wirelessvideo uplink from the system.

Although not required in all examples, wireless video device 800 maybegin to receive and process optical signals to generate video data inresponse to the activation of uplink button 808. In these examples,video reception could start immediately when button 808 is activated,and the video data would be stored for subsequent transfer over theuplink when it becomes available.

Wireless video device 800 wirelessly receives a system response, andalthough not required for all such responses, the received systemresponse indicates at least one condition that must be accepted by theuser before the wireless video uplink is provided. Wireless video device800 displays the condition to the user and prompts for user acceptanceof the condition (905). The condition could be displayed on a touchscreen with corresponding “ACCEPT” and “REJECT” selection buttons. Forexample, the condition could require public access to thevideo—typically based on the location of device 800 or a pool to whichdevice 800 belongs. In other cases, the condition might be a time framewhen the uplink will be available—such as a length of time beforeanother reservation begins.

If the user rejects the condition (906), wireless video device 800wirelessly transfers a rejection of the condition and the video uplinkis not provided (907). If the user accepts the condition (906), thenwireless video device 800 wirelessly transfers an acceptance of thecondition (908). Wireless video device 800 then displays prompts forvideo producer data (909). The video producer data and correspondingdisplay may be similar to that of FIG. 3. Thus, the user may specify auser name, distribution URL, public availability, access code, accessfee amount, MAC ID, pool ID, and a description of the video. Note thatthis video producer data may be used as metadata in a search interfacefor others who search for videos to download. Also note that wirelesscommunication device 800 may pre-store or supply some of the dataincluding user name, URL, geographic location, date and time, MAC ID,pool ID, and the base station ID for the base station that provides theuplink.

Wireless video device 800 receives video producer data from the user andwirelessly transfers the data to the video server system (910). Wirelessvideo device 800 then captures optical signals, generates correspondingvideo data, and wirelessly transfers the video data over the videouplink for delivery to the video server system (911), where the videoserver system distributes the video per the video producer data,reservation data, and any accepted conditions.

During the video upload, wireless video device 800 may receive a requestfrom the video system to share the video data (912) with a second user.For example, the second user at the location may have their video uplinkrequest denied due to uplink capacity restrictions. Based on a siterequirement, user instruction, or other parameter, the video system mayautomatically request video sharing. If the share request is received(912), then wireless video device 800 displays the share request to theuser (913). The share request could be displayed on a touch screen withcorresponding “ACCEPT” and “REJECT” selection buttons. If the user doesnot accept the share request (914), then the video upload proceeds asbefore (911). If the user does accept the share request (914), thenwireless video device 800 wirelessly transfers the acceptance to thevideo system, and the video upload proceeds (911) with the second usersharing the video. In some cases, the shared video data is copied to thesecond users video distribution server account for distribution inaccord with the second user's specifications for public access, fees,and the like.

Note that in the above example, wireless video device 800 uses theon-demand approach to obtain the wireless video uplink. Alternatively,wireless video device 800 could also be operated to invoke a prior videouplink reservation. In this case, the acceptance of conditions (if any)and the provision of user instructions could occur during thereservation process, when invoking the wireless video uplink, or duringboth activities.

FIG. 10 illustrates display 1000 that is provided by user interface 801of wireless video device 800 as described above. Note the displayeduplink condition, “feed sharing with pool #23” along side accept andreject selection boxes. The user has accepted the condition by selectingthe accept box. Also note the other user instructions and data that isdisplayed. The user has input a user name, URL to access the video,public access rejection, pool ID, and video description. Wireless videodevice 800 has added a video date, start time, base station ID for theserving base station, current GPS coordinates where the video is beingcaptured, and the orientation of the video shot by compass direction.Wireless video device 800 transfers these instructions and data to thevideo control system.

FIG. 11 illustrates display 1100 that is provided by user interface 801of wireless video device 800 as described above. Note the displayeduplink condition, “wireless video uplink will terminate at 5:00 PM”along side accept and reject selection boxes. The user has accepted thecondition by selecting the accept box. Also note the video producer datathat is displayed. The user has input a user name, URL to access thevideo, public access acceptance, access code, access fee, and videodescription. Wireless video device 800 has added a video date, starttime, base station ID for the serving base station, current GPScoordinates where the video is being captured, and the orientation ofthe video shot by compass direction. Wireless video device 800 transfersthe video producer data to the video control system.

FIG. 12 illustrates video server system 1200. Video server system 1200provides an example of video server systems 102 and 402, althoughsystems 102 and 402 may use alternative configurations. Video serversystem 1200 could be a discrete system, a distributed system, and/orcould be integrated into other systems. In some examples, video serversystem 1200 includes a wireless video uplink reservation system asdescribed herein.

Video server system 1200 comprises network transceivers 1201, userinterface 1202, and processing system 1203. Processing system 1203comprises processing circuitry 1204 and memory system 1205 that storesoperating software 1206. Processing system 1203 is linked to transceiver1201 and user interface 1202. Video server system 1200 may include otherwell-known components that are not shown for clarity, such as anadditional communication interface, routers, servers, processors, powersupply, and the like.

Network transceiver 1201 is coupled to network communication links thatmay access the Internet or some other communication network. Networktransceivers 1201 comprise communication ports, signal processingcircuitry, software, and/or some other communication components. Networktransceiver 1201 may include an antenna and Radio Frequency (RF)circuitry if wireless communication is used. Network transceiver 1201may use various communication protocols, such as time divisionmultiplex, internet, Ethernet, CDMA, wireless, or some othercommunication format—including combinations thereof. Network transceiver1201 receives videos, video producer data, video reservation data, andvideo requests. Network transceiver 1201 also transfers the videos fordelivery to requesting users.

User interface 1202 comprises other components that interact withoperational personnel, such as graphic displays, keys, buttons,touch-pads, and the like.

Processing circuitry 1204 comprises microprocessor and other circuitrythat retrieves and executes operating software 1206 from memory system1205. Memory system 1205 comprises a computer-readable storage medium,such as a disk drive, flash drive, data storage circuitry, or some othermemory apparatus. Memory system 1205 could be a single device or bedistributed across multiple devices. Processing circuitry 1204 istypically mounted on one or more circuit boards that may also holdmemory system 1205 and portions of transceiver 1201 and user interface1202.

Operating software 1206 comprises computer programs, firmware, or someother form of computer-readable processing instructions. Operatingsoftware 1206 may include an operating system, utilities, drivers,network interfaces, applications, or some other type of software. Forexample, operating software 1206 might include: 1) an operating systemmodule to interface with the user interface, processing circuitry, andmemory; 2) a networking module to direct communications, such asInternet sessions; 3) a video reception module to receive, process, andstore videos and associated data; 4) a video distribution module toreceive video requests and transfer videos, and 5) a reservation moduleto handle uplink reservations. Thus, when executed by processingcircuitry 1204, operating software 1206 directs processing system 1203to operate video server system 1200 as described herein.

FIG. 13 illustrates the operation of video server system 1200 to processincoming videos. Video server system 1200 receives a video and itscorresponding data (1301). The video was uploaded to a base station overa wireless video uplink. The corresponding data includes video producerdata that was uploaded along with the video. The corresponding data mayalso include reservation data for the video from a wireless video uplinkreservation system. Video server system 1200 associates the reservationdata with its corresponding video by matching the reservation data withthe video producer data (1302). For example, the reservation data andthe video producer data share the same producer (user name), location,time and date, uplink base station, and typically other data. Inaddition, video server system 1200 associates the incoming video withother user accounts that may distribute the video through pooling orsharing conditions.

Video server system 1200 processes the video and its corresponding datato develop a video icon and associated video information (1303).Typically, the icon will be placed on a map where hovering over the iconreveals the video information and selecting the icon begins the videodownload process. The video information includes information regardingthe video title, description, producer, time/date, location, publicaccess, access codes, access fees, pools, and the like. Video serversystem 1200 processes the video information to determine if the video isavailable to the public (1304). If public distribution is available(1304), then video server system 1200 processes the video information todetermine if GPS coordinates for the public video are available (1305).The GPS coordinates may be available from the reservation data or theproducer data. If GPS coordinates are available (1305), then videoserver system 1200 loads the video icon onto a public-access geographicmap at the GPS coordinates (1306).

If GPS coordinates are not available (1305), then video server system1200 loads the video icon onto the public-access geographic map at thelocation of the base station that provides the uplink (1307). The basestation ID may be available from the reservation data or the producerdata, and video server system 1200 translates the base station ID intoGPS coordinates for the base station. In some examples, a base stationsector is identified, and the GPS coordinates are for the base stationsector. After loading the icon (1306, 1307), video server system 1200stores the public video for distribution using the URL listed in thevideo data (1308).

If the video is not publicly available (1304), then video server system1200 determines if restricted access to the video is available (1309).Typically, restricted access requires the video requester to provide anaccess code, biometrics, or some other private key to access the video.If restricted access to the video is available (1309), then video serversystem 1200 processes the video information to determine if GPScoordinates for the restricted video are available (1310). If GPScoordinates are available (1310), then video server system 1200 loadsthe video icon onto a restricted-access geographic map at the GPScoordinates (1311). If GPS coordinates are not available (1310), thenvideo server system 1200 loads the video icon onto the restricted-accessgeographic map near the location of the base station that provided theuplink (1311). After loading the icon (1311, 1312), video server system1200 stores the video for restricted distribution at the URL listed inthe video data (1308).

Note that there would typically be several restricted-access geographicmaps that are each customized with the set of video icons for a givenproducer, URL, user, access code, pool, and the like. If neither publicaccess (1304) nor restricted access (1309) access to the video isavailable, then video server system 1200 stores the video at a defaultlocation for the user (1313).

Note that various types of additional data may be collected. Forexample, the downloading of public videos may require the requester toprovide an email address or other data.

Also note that an entire video server system may be restricted andrequire the receipt of proper credentials before access is provided. Forexample, a video server system may be configured to operate as describedherein, except that the system would require a registration andauthorization procedure to be performed through a front-end portion ofthe system before any access to the video server is allowed.

FIG. 14 illustrates the operation of video server system 1200 to servevideo requests. Video server system 1200 receives a video request in theform of a URL request. Video server system 1200 determines if the URLfrom the request is restricted (1402). If the URL is restricted (1402),then video server system 1200 prompts the requester for an access code,pool ID, and the like—including combinations thereof. Video serversystem 1200 processes the requester's response to determine if therequester is authorized (1404). If the requester is authorized (1404),then video server system 1200 transfers the associated restrictedgeographic map with video icons and video data (1405). If the URL is notrestricted (1402), then video server system 1200 transfers the publicgeographic map with video icons and video data (1407).

Video server system 1200 receives an icon selection for a video (1406)and determines if any access fee is required for the video (1408). If afee is required, video server system 1200 prompts the video requesterfor the fee (1409). If the fee is received (1410), video server system1200 transfers the video to the video requester (1411). If no fee isrequired (1408), video server system 1200, transfers the video to thevideo requester (1411) responsive to the icon selection (1406).

FIG. 15 illustrates the operation of video server system 1200 to servevideo requests. Video server system 1200 receives a video search requestand responds by transferring a video search interface (1501). The searchrequest could be represented by a special URL request or could be a menuoption or selection button provided on another URL page. The searchinterface may include text boxes, maps, calendars, clocks, suggestions,and the like for the video requester to input search criteria. Videoserver system 1200 performs the search, transfers search results, andreceives a user selection of a search result (1502). The search resultscould be a set of video icons and video data that relate to the searchcriteria. For example, if the search criteria is “Westside basketball”then the top three search results might be entitled: Westside HighSchool 2015 Varsity Girls Basketball, Westside High School 2015 VarsityBoys Basketball, and Westside High School Varsity Basketball Archive.

Video server system 1200 determines if the selected search result isrestricted (1502). If the selected search result is restricted (1503),then video server system 1200 prompts the requester for an access code,pool ID, and the like—including combinations thereof (1504). Forexample, if the selected search result is “John Doe Family Vacations”,then restricted access may be implemented. Video server system 1200processes the requester's authorization response (access code) todetermine if the requester is authorized (1505). If the requester isauthorized (1505), then video server system 1200 transfers theassociated restricted geographic map with video icons and video data(1506). For example, server system 1200 may return a restricted map withicons at various vacation locales for the John Doe family. If the searchresult is not restricted (1503), then video server system 1200 transfersthe public geographic map with video icons and video data (1508)identified by the selected result. For example, server system 1200 mayreturn a public map with icons at various game locales for the Westsidehigh school basketball teams.

Video server system 1200 receives an icon selection for a video (1507)and determines if any access fee is required for the video (1509). If afee is required, video server system 1200 prompts the video requesterfor the fee (1510). If the fee is received (1511), video server system1200 transfers the video to the video requester (1512). If no fee isrequired (1509), video server system 1200 transfers the video to thevideo requester (1512) responsive to the icon selection (1507).

The above description and associated figures teach the best mode of theinvention. The following claims specify the scope of the invention. Notethat some aspects of the best mode may not fall within the scope of theinvention as specified by the claims. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the features described above can be combined in variousways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, theinvention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above,but only by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a wireless communicationsystem to provide a wireless video service, the method comprising: in abase station, wirelessly broadcasting signals including a network accessprovider identifier and a base station identifier and responsivelyreceiving a video uplink request from a wireless video device and a datatransfer request from another wireless communication device; in acontrol system, responsive to the video uplink request, determining ifthe wireless video device has a reservation, and if the wireless videodevice does not have the reservation then determining if the basestation has capacity to service the video up-link request, and if thewireless video device has the reservation or if the base station has thecapacity, then directing the base station to service the video uplinkrequest for the wireless video device, wherein the control system givespriority to reserved video uplinks over non-reserved video uplinks tomaintain quality-of-service on the reserved video uplinks; in thecontrol system, responsive to the data transfer request, determining ifthe base station has additional capacity to service the data transferrequest, and if the base station has the additional capacity, thendirecting the base station to service the data transfer request, whereinthe control system gives priority to the video uplinks over datatransfers to maintain quality-of-service on the video uplinks.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising, in the control system, inhibitingsubsequent non-reserved video uplinks to maintain quality-of-service forthe reserved video uplinks.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising,in the control system, inhibiting subsequent data transfers to maintainquality-of-service for the reserved video uplinks and the non-reservedvideo uplinks.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the basestation, wirelessly receiving video data from the wireless video deviceas directed by the control system.
 5. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising, in the base station, wirelessly receiving other data fromthe other wireless communication device as directed by the controlsystem.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the wirelessvideo device, receiving a user input and responsively scanning afrequency band for the broadcast signal having the network accessprovider identifier for the wireless video service, and in response todetecting the network access provider identifier, wirelesslytransferring the wireless video uplink request to the base station. 7.The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the wireless video device,receiving a user input that initiates both the wireless video uplinkrequest and optical reception and buffering of video data for subsequenttransfer over one of the video uplinks.
 8. The method of claim 1 whereindetermining if the wireless video device has a reservation comprisesauthorizing the wireless video device.
 9. The method of claim 1 whereinthe base station comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) base station andthe wireless video device comprises an LTE video device.
 10. The methodof claim 1 wherein the control system comprise a Long Term Evolution(LTE) gateway.
 11. A wireless communication system to provide a wirelessvideo service comprising: a base station configured to wirelesslybroadcast signals including a network access provider identifier and abase station identifier and responsively receive a video uplink requestfrom a wireless video device and a data transfer request from anotherwireless communication device; a control system configured, responsiveto the video uplink request, to determine if the wireless video devicehas a reservation, and if the wireless video device does not have thereservation, then to determine if the base station has capacity toservice the video up-link request, and if the wireless video device hasthe reservation or if the base station has the capacity, then to directthe base station to service the video uplink request for the wirelessvideo device, wherein the control system gives priority to reservedvideo uplinks over non-reserved video uplinks to maintainquality-of-service on the reserved video uplinks; the control systemfurther configured, responsive to the data transfer request, todetermine if the base station has additional capacity to service thedata transfer request, and if the base station has the additionalcapacity, then to direct the base station to service the data transferrequest, wherein the control system gives priority to the video uplinksover data transfers to maintain quality-of-service on the video uplinks.12. The wireless communication system of claim 11 wherein the controlsystem is configured to inhibit subsequent non-reserved video uplinks tomaintain quality-of-service for the reserved video uplinks.
 13. Thewireless communication system of claim 11 wherein the control system isconfigured to inhibit subsequent data transfers to maintainquality-of-service for the video uplinks.
 14. The wireless communicationsystem of claim 11 wherein the base station is configured to wirelesslyreceive video data from the wireless video device as directed by thecontrol system.
 15. The wireless communication system of claim 11wherein the base station is configured to wirelessly receive other datafrom the other wireless communication device as directed by the controlsystem.
 16. The wireless communication system of claim 11 wherein thewireless video device is configured to receive a user input andresponsively scan a frequency band for the broadcast signal having thenetwork access provider identifier for the wireless video service, andin response to detecting the network access provider identifier, towirelessly transfer the wireless video uplink request to the basestation.
 17. The wireless communication system of claim 11 wherein thewireless video device is configured to receive a user input thatinitiates both the wireless video uplink request and optical receptionand buffering of video data for subsequent transfer over one of thevideo uplinks.
 18. The wireless communication system of claim 11 whereinthe control system is configured to authorize the wireless video device.19. The wireless communication system of claim 11 wherein the basestation comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) base station and thewireless video device comprises an LTE video device.
 20. The wirelesscommunication system of claim 11 wherein the control system comprises aLong Term Evolution (LTE) gateway.